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In the past year, Tobago businesses have suffered over $750 million in losses and the country has spent millions of dollars to fix the seabridge problem. But as of today the crisis continues and now, businesses are saying without a Government bailout or some sort of assistance there is no hope of recovery.

Business owners in Tobago yesterday told the T&T Guardian they now face the opposite problem to what they did in the period May to July last year. Back then they had problems getting goods to stock their shelves and some shelves were empty, but today they say their shelves are stocked “but the customers are just not there.”

Supermarket owners said “goods are now expiring on our hands.” In addition, they say it now makes no sense stocking freezers with meats and other cold products and warehouses are stocked with goods that are not being sold.

Business owners said the estimated $750 million in losses excludes businesses forced to close their doors or repossessed by the banks.

The Superfast Galicia, which had been servicing the inter-island route since 2014 at a cost of US$7.4 million (TT$48.1m) annually, sailed out of T&T waters last April, after Government failed to agree to an 18-month contract extension requested by the agent. Government has since initiated legal action against the agent - Inter-Continental Shipping - for breach of contract.

The Superfast Galicia was 13 years old and transported up to 112 passengers, along with 110 trailers and 60 cars. Its departure left the seabridge in a lurch although stakeholders in Tobago had first raised red flags about its imminent departure since January 2017.

As the Galicia left the Atlantic Provider and the Trinity Transporter, a barge, were brought in to fill the gap to transport cargo to the island.

On April 19, 2017, then Port Authority chairman Alison Lewis said the Atlantic Provider (Provider) would cost US$14,500 (TT$94,250) a day while Trinity Transporter was US$18,000 (TT$117,000).

It is one problem after another for the TT Spirit which was supposed to return to service today but did not.

Port Authority of TT (PATT) chairman Col Lyle Alexander (ret'd), in a press conference earlier today, said the TT Spirit failed four sea trials and after each of those trials, the port authority had discovered more problems.

The ferry vessel had been placed on dry dock for routine maintenance, but upon further investigation it was discovered the problems were numerous including a broken cylinder bolt, a blown gasket and leaks in the air cooler.

Alexander said parts had been ordered and replaced and PATT was awaiting one more part to arrive today.

He said once that part was installed they would have another sea run maybe as early as tomorrow and expected the Spirit to return to service next week.

He assured that the arrangement with CAL for passengers with ferry tickets still stood and would continue until the Spirit returned to service.

Alexander said the problems cropped up because the vessel had not been put on dry dock when it was scheduled because they wanted to ensure ferry service for passengers for the Easter weekend.

He said the TT Express, which has just been put on dry dock would return to service when it was deemed safe for travel.